In a surprise move the government has scrapped the 20:80 scheme and restrictions placed on import of gold in August last year. The 80:20 norm mandated that a fifth of all the precious metal imported should be re-exported before bringing in new lots. The RBI had also asked them to make available gold for domestic use, only to the entities engaged in jewellery business/bullion dealers and to banks authorised to administer the gold deposit scheme against full upfront payment.
As per the Reserve Bank of India notification gold import norms imposed on August 14, 2013, to reduce the burgeoning current account deficit and relieve pressure on the rupee that had weakened sharply, has been withdrawn. Accordingly all instructions issued about the scheme from time to time...stand withdrawn with immediate effect.
The 80:20 norm helped slowing gold imports in early days, but the shipments surged after certain relaxations were given by the previous government in its last days. The norms were relaxed in May and six private sector trading firms were permitted to import the gold under the 80:20 scheme. Initially, only state-owned firms and banks were permitted to import. The six private firms, which were given relaxation, accounted for 40 per cent of the total gold imports in April-September.
The government was also concerned that the rule was encouraging importers to hoard gold, causing a distortion in trade. Gold imports surged to 280 percent to $4.17 billion in October, while the in-bound shipments touched 95 tonnes in September this year as against 12 tonnes a year ago.
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